Our subjectsLanguages degrees
Join our Strathclyde languages community
Language and culture are the basis of communication, and good communication is key to success in any career.
By joining our Strathclyde Languages Community, you’ll have the opportunity to become fluent in another language and an expert in the culture of where it’s spoken.
This combination of cultural and linguistic expertise is why language graduates are especially sought after by employers.
Whether your ambition is to work overseas, welcome foreign visitors, or build international networks from home, our language degrees will prepare you for it all.
Find out more about the exciting opportunities open to linguists.
Language options at Strathclyde
At Strathclyde, you can study two languages: French and Spanish up to Honours level.
We have two pathways for Year 1:
- if you’ve never studied the language before, you’ll join our beginners’ classes.
- if you already have a Higher (or equivalent) in your chosen language, you’ll join our post-Higher pathway.
By the end of Year 1, students from both pathways will have achieved the same level and will study together from Year 2 onwards. We also offer introductory Italian and Mandarin in Year 1.
Our degrees in Spanish or French are Joint Honours. This means that you’ll study another subject alongside your chosen language and gain a degree in both subjects. In addition to the benefits of adding a language to your skillset, Joint Honours degrees develop key qualities that employers strongly value, such as adaptability and breadth of vision.
You can pick any combination you like from within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, or from a selection of subjects in the Business School. For example, you could study French and Spanish combined, or choose one language and one non-language subject such as Law, Politics, Journalism, International Relations, Tourism Management, Marketing, Hospitality, etc. Explore the full range of options. You can also choose our integrated Masters in International Business and a Modern Language.
Postgraduate support
Access a wealth of support and resources for postgraduate study. Details on the application process, accommodation, fees and other useful information can be found here.
What makes our language degrees different?
Our language degrees reflect the wider mission of the University of Strathclyde as a socially progressive Place of Useful Learning. This means that we have two main focuses:
- We prioritize useful knowledge of contemporary language and culture, as well as social and political history, that will be of greatest practical benefit when living, working or travelling abroad, or when communicating internationally from home. Our core aim is to give you the skills and knowledge needed to fully integrate into the society of your chosen language and to communicate freely and smoothly.
- Our degrees place strong emphasis on the social and cultural diversity of the Hispanic and Francophone worlds, including marginalized or under-represented sectors of society. You can choose optional modules on topics such as Black France, Latin American Indigenous cultures, or feminism and gender, and will learn about regional varieties of Spanish or French.
Find out more details about our curriculum.
Opportunities Abroad during your degree
Part of your Strathclyde Language degree will involve living in a French or Spanish-speaking country during your fourth year, either as a paid English Language Assistant, studying at one of our partner universities, or undertaking a work placement. The flexible Strathclyde programme also allows you to spend your third year abroad, in addition to the standard fourth year, giving you the option of immersing yourself in your target language and culture for up to two years.
To support you in preparing for your time abroad, we offer a sponsored 4-week summer course with most fees paid by us at language institutes in France and Spain.
If you have any questions about the year abroad or funding, please visit our Going Abroad section or contact us at outgoing-exchanges@strath.ac.uk.
Our students
Callum Anderson, Scotland
BA History & Spanish
Strathclyde gave me the opportunity and confidence to go to Spain and supported me throughout the year, so that was definitely a highlight.
Siyu Luna Luo, China
MSc Business Translation & Interpreting
All of my lecturers and my supervisor at Strathclyde were very helpful and supportive. It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience to study in Strathclyde and also live in a city with marvellous buildings and warm-hearted people.
Chenjiazi Xu, China
MSc Business Translation & Interpreting
If you want to take this course, my advice is to lay a good foundation and learn English and mother tongue well before you start taking this course. Because you have to switch between the two languages a lot in class.
Sarah White, Scotland
BA French & Spanish
I picked Strathclyde because it is a modern, practical university and there is less focus on literature in their language courses than some other universities which appealed to me as I was more interested in learning relevant language which is used day to day.
Nicola Cringean, Scotland
BA French & Spanish
The year abroad was a big attraction for me when choosing a University as this would give me the chance to fully immerse myself in a new culture, and is an excellent way to master the language.
Chat with our students
My name is Jiazi. I’m from China. I came to Glasgow at the beginning of last October.
Business Translation & Interpreting